TRAVERSE CITY — The man behind the Fantasies Unlimited adult sex toy stores will take another shot at establishing a business in downtown Traverse City.
Brad J. Vannatter contacted the city about opening a business called Laughing Buddha Smoke Shop at 514 E. Front St. Vannatter's website advertises the store as a smoke shop that sells incense and potpourri. But Vannatter's main business line still has neighbors concerned.
"I know what his other businesses are, and I'm a family-orientated store and I'm kind of concerned about those things," said Billy Wood, owner of the neighboring Lifer Skate Board Shop.
Vannatter did not respond to an email and could not be reached at his Garfield Township headquarters. In an email to Dave Weston, city zoning administrator, Vannatter said he wanted to open a "regular retail store," and asked what city permits were required.
City zoning does not allow a store that dedicates more than 35 percent of its merchandise, business, or floor space to adult novelty items in its downtown business district, Weston said. For "regular retail," all Vannatter needs from the city is a sign permit.
Wood points to what Fantasies Unlimited did in its store on Cass Road in Garfield Township. It wasn't able to open as an adult novelty store, but did so as a boutique that sells sex-themed adult items within the township's 35 percent limit.
The limits didn't inhibit Fantasies from advertising the store as its main "adult sex toy store" in its chain of eight sex-themed shops in Michigan.
"The ordinance says as long as they don't have more than 35 percent they are in regulation, so I think he'll have that much in and then bring in other stuff," Wood said. "I talked to the city and they are going to keep an eye on it," but what can they really do."
The store could operate without selling sex toys or other adult-themed material. The Fantasies Network of businesses includes some non-sex-themed enterprises, such as a tattoo parlor and car detailing shop, and its website stated the Laughing Buddha is the first of several stores to open in Michigan.
Vannatter's previous downtown business attempt, Tabu Lounge, featured hookahs and lingerie-clad dancers. It closed three months after opening in 2011.
Latest News - Mobile
Related Photos
-
The structure at 514 E. Front St. in Traverse City. Record-Eagle/Keith King
Fantasies owner seeks to open Traverse City smoke shop
-
-
Felon wants a firearm
Convicted felon. Bellaire resident Kent McNeil carries that brand, a label he earned after pleading guilty to kidnapping and extortion in 1988. Now he wants to legally possess firearms, though federal law prohibits felons from possessing guns.
Continued ... -
Cass Road crossing will develop with dam removals
It's time to stop talking and start replacing Cass Road Bridge, county officials said.
Continued ... -
Controversial anthropologist calls area home
Since 1999, one of America’s most famous and controversial anthropologists has lived quietly in a home set far off a wooded road with his wife and a hunting dog named Darwin.
Continued ... -
Tension boils over Benzie undersheriff position
Benzie County remains undersheriff-less as county commissioners and sheriff’s department leaders continue a six-month-long battle over pay and benefits that spurred talk of inter-government lawsuits.
Continued ... -
Kalkaska man gets 100 years for sex crimes
A Kalkaska man convicted of sex crimes against his stepdaughters likely will spend his remaining years behind bars.
Continued ... -
Old Mission named among top coastal drives
Old Mission Peninsula claimed a spot on USA Today’s recent list of 10 coastal drives.
Continued ... - Tuesday, June 18, 2013
-
Man could face 7th domestic violence conviction
A Traverse City man with six prior domestic violence convictions is due back in court on the same charge.
Continued ... -
DDA chief nurtured downtown TC growth
Bryan Crough loved to listen to people talk about downtown Traverse City and how it has become a hot spot for the arts, dining and commerce.
Continued ... -
Officials to meet on Cass, Hartman-Hammond river crossings
The Cass Road Bridge will be replaced after all.
Continued ... -
Clearing the Record: 06/18/2013
Because of a reporter’s error, the creator of the six dogmen costumes for the “Dogman 2: Wrath of the Litter” movie was misidentified in Saturday’s Record-Eagle.
Continued ... - Monday, June 17, 2013
-
BATA plan: Load more bikes on buses
Cyclists who pedal the Leelanau Trail between Traverse City and Suttons Bay now have more back-and-forth options.
Continued ... -
Goodwill to develop food truck
An area nonprofit will rely on more than $20,000 in taxpayer-funded grants to begin operating a food truck that accepts Bridge Cards.
Continued ... -
Downtown leader passes away
TRAVERSE CITY — A community pillar who literally helped shape downtown Traverse City died unexpectedly Sunday night of an apparent heart attack. For more than three decades, Bryan Crough, 59, left his mark on local politics and culture, serving as a
Continued ... -
Light & Power board balks at price of proposal
Traverse City Light & Power board members balked at a $60,000-plus, no-bid proposal to plot the city-owned utility’s future.
Continued ... -
Empire event to celebrate beloved soundman
The northern Michigan musical community will pay homage to one of its own during the Summer Solstice Celebration of Music and Community on June 23 from noon to 9 p.m. at Johnson Park in Empire.
Continued ... -
'Thunder' to roll to honor vets
Members of Rolling Thunder Michigan Chapter 1 invite the public to polish their chrome and join them as they hit the highway for their fourth annual Pure Thunder-escorted veterans memorial ride.
Continued ... -
Northern Notes: Just Mulch gets thank-you
Debra Norman, principal at Lake Ann Elementary School, wrote to thank Scott and Deb Talquist from Just Mulch for providing the school with the equipment and manpower to keep its pond and waterfall operating.
Continued ... - Sunday, June 16, 2013
-
TBAISD to hold budget hearing
Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District Board of Education will hold a hearing on their fiscal year 2013-14 budget on Tuesday as board members consider whether to spend some of their nearly 58 percent fund balance.
Continued ... -
'Family is our whole life': Raising quadruplets plus two
Since her quadruplets grew out of diapers, life smoothed out for Tonya Lewandowski.
Continued ... -
Program aims to keep tenants in their homes
Charles Alexander sat in 86th District Court and uttered that he'd rather be dead than homeless.
Continued ... -
Acme beach buildings demo set
Acme Township purchased the last of three buildings on its growing project to create a mile-long shoreline park, and demolition crews are ready to dive into work.
Continued ... -
Free fishing day hooks young anglers
Screeches, squeals and screams of excitement could be heard from Northwestern Michigan College's Great Lakes Campus as kids reeled in rainbow trout.
Continued ... -
Fire damages Garfield Township home
Firefighters were called to 4327 Stoneridge Dr. Saturday at 2:12 a.m. and arrived to flames through the roof.
Continued ... - Saturday, June 15, 2013
-
Michigan still reeling out cash incentives
The heyday of Michigan’s movie incentives has faded, but director Rich Brauer lauded the state’s restructured movie incentive program as “very, very intelligent.”
Continued ... -
Dogman yelps again in film
Walter Rowen panted, not unlike a dog, after he sprinted around on aluminum stilts with furry paws at the bottom with two other similarly outfitted men.
Continued ...
-
Felon wants a firearm
Rihanna Hits Fan With Microphone During UK Concert
Obama Renews Call for Nuclear Reductions
Miami Heat Wins in Overtime
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Fists, chairs fly in restaurant brawl
Journalist Michael Hastings Dies in Fiery Hollywood Crash
Hairy Leg Stockings Aim to Deflect Male Attention
Inside Kim Kardashian's Premature Labor
Three Charged for Enslaving Mother and Daughter
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Spurs' Popovich has no problem with Spurs' intensity
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Paige Butcher Scorches on Hawaii Beach
Video: worst way to load cargo onto a plane
Never-before-seen footage of '08 Times Square bomber
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
WATCH IT: Lil Wayne tramples American flag
Mariah Carey Looks Beautiful in a Tiny Cut-Out Swimsuit
Out of Control Boat Throws Passengers Overboard
See Lindsay Lohan in Rehab
